Daniel P. Leahy, Esq.

Former State Senator, City Councilor, Clerk Magistrate and Humanitarian;

Daniel P. Leahy, Esq., 81, a lifelong Lowell resident, died Wednesday, August 10th at D’Youville Senior Care in Lowell. He was the beloved husband of Gloria J. (Secchiaroli) Leahy who survives him and with whom he celebrated 57 years of marriage on June 6th of this year. Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, January 10, 1935, a son of the late John J. Leahy of Ireland and the late Elizabeth (Power) Leahy of Lowell, he attended St. Margaret Grammar School and was a graduate of Keith Academy in the Class of 1952. Following his honorable discharge from the armed forces, he then went on to graduate from Boston College with the Class of 1960 and Suffolk Law School. A veteran during the Korean Conflict, Dan proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. Dan was a retired local attorney; he served in the Massachusetts General Court as a Massachusetts State Senator for two terms, from 1994-1998. He believed in term limits and imposed them upon himself after his second term in the Senate. Dan was also a member of the Lowell City Council, elected in 1999, then worked as a Clerk Magistrate in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Dan was very active in many clubs and associations, among them: Lowell Bar Association, serving as President, a Board member of Ironstone Farm’s Challenge Unlimited, the Friday Night Card Players, the Saratoga Sojourners, and many more. He is perhaps best known as founder of Thanksgiving: A Celebration of Life! which he began in Lowell with his brother-in-law Al Lenzi to aid the ministry of Fr. Gregory Ramkisson in Kingston Jamaica. Celebration of Life, founded in 1984, was the forerunner of Mustard Seed Communities, the international ministry which continues today to support Fr. Gregory’s work in Jamaica, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic and Zimbabwe, helping to feed, clothe, and shelter poor children. Helping the poor was a cause close to his heart, and an intrinsic dimension of his Christian faith. A loving husband, father and grandfather, Dan is survived by two daughters Kathleen Ramirez and her husband George of Lowell and Lynda Cudnohufsky and her husband Niels of Ashfield, MA; three sons Daniel P. Leahy II and his wife Joyce of Lowell, John J. Leahy and his wife Joni of Lowell and Mark A. Leahy and his wife Liana of Lexington, MA; 11 grandchildren Georgeanna, Christian and Juliann, Amanda, Michael, Sarah, Delane, Madeline, Jack, Lilly and Griffin; four sisters Elizabeth Nangle, Elinor O’Connor, Marilyn Gill and her husband Peter and Joan Lenzi and her husband Albert all of Lowell; a sister-in-law Martha Leahy of Nashua, NH; and many nieces, nephews and lifelong friends. He was also father of the late Francis X. Leahy who died in 1965 and brother of the late John J. Leahy who died in 2015. Dan’s family wishes to express their deep appreciation to the staff of D’Youville Senior Care Center for the loving, compassionate care he received throughout his time there.

Friends may call at the O'DONNELL FUNERAL HOME, 276 PAWTUCKET ST. at Fletcher in Lowell from 2 to 6 P.M. on Sunday. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass to be celebrated Monday morning at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH in Lowell at 11 o'clock. Committal Services will be held privately. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to Mustard Seed Communities, C/O Mustard Seed USA, 29 Janes Avenue, Medfield, MA, 02052. Arrangements by Funeral Directors James F. O'Donnell, Jr. and John W. Crane (978 or 866) 458-8768.

My heartfelt condolences to the Leahy family on your loss. Dan did so much for the city of Lowell and for the underprivileged much further away. He was a true humanitarian who lived his faith. My parents joined him on a trip or two and now they are laughing and debating politics in heaven. My thoughts are with you all during this difficult time.

2016-08-15 08:59:59
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Philip & Lyyne Scannell

Wonderful man will be so missed.Thoughts and prayers.

2016-08-14 22:30:20
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Judy O'Connor
- So sorry for your loss!

To the Leahy Family, I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of Mr. Leahy, he was a nice man.I remember you all living on Albina Street, from years ago when we were all younger and care free! What a shame. Unfortunately, I didn't read the news until after the wake was over. My condolences to you all.

2016-08-14 16:05:18
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Frank and Rita Georges
- Condolences

Our condolences to the family. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Frank and Rita Georges

2016-08-14 09:44:19
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Bill Hibbard
- Condolences

Sorry to hear of Dan's passing, dad is in the hospital and was very sad when Nancy told him. He always appreciated all that Dan did for him over the years. They enjoyed talking about the old days at the farm. Our thoughts are with all the family. Bill Hibbard Jr & III.

2016-08-14 09:44:18
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Ray and Marsha Couilliard
- Our condolences

We extend our condolences to the Leahy family.

2016-08-14 08:43:34
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The Bujold Family
- Condolences

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.

2016-08-12 15:24:55
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'DENNY' QUINN
- umor

To the entire Dan Leahy Family; Our Deepest Sympathy; Dan was a "GREAT MAN" with a wonderful "Sense of Humor"."May He Rest In Peace" Respectfully "Denny" & Barbara Quinn